How to Learn Computer Skills Online

Even tech-savvy users with many years of computer experience need occasional refreshers or tutorials for newer software. With the rapid pace of technology advancement in the marketplace, keeping up-to-date with computer skills is vital. Of course, learning how to use a new computer or an unfamiliar program can be difficult. There are books and community education courses available on the subject, but the best way to learn computer skills on directly on the computer itself. If you have reliable web access, you can learn computer skills online for little or no cost.

Instructions

1. Visit websites with free computer learning lessons, such as University of Maryland's "Basic Computer Skills Tutoral" (see Resources). Another good site is GCFLearnFree.org; according to GCF's "Computer Training" page, you can study everything from casual computing with Facebook lessons to professional software like Microsoft Office.

2. Consider paid online lessons to further jumpstart your learning. E-Learning.com offers online training for as low as $15.99 per course. Goliath Business Knowledge has a pricier online "Computer Skills for the Workplace" course at $99.99; however, this more expensive option comes with extensive web-based instructor support for enhanced online learning.

3. Use Apple and Microsoft online tutorials and help files. If you're stuck on a specific task within your operating system, you can learn how to work through the issue by following directions given at Microsoft.com and Apple.com support sub-pages. This option works well for operating system learning, but it is not likely to give good results when attempting to learn how to use third-party software.

4. Watch educational videos on basic computer skills at YouTube.com or watch a series of videos at eHow.com such as the popular "Using Apple Computers" series (see Resources).

5. Contact software or hardware manufacturers using email or Skype to get quick online answers to your specific computer questions. You can learn new skills directly from the source by using online "contact" information on a manufacturer's website.

References

• GCF Learn Free: "Computer Training."
• E-Learning: "Learn Computer Skills Online."
• Goliath Business Knowledge on Demand: "Computer Skills for the Workplace."

Resources

• University of Maryland: "Basic Compute Skills Tutorial."
• eHow: "Using Apple Computers."
• Moraine Valley Community College: "Online Learning--Help Resources."